The Grand
National is a race where every horse has some sort of chance, even
the outsiders. You only have to look at the recent winners of the
race to see that it is possible to be an unfancied horse and still
bask in Aintree glory.
Mon Mome was
100/1 when winning in 2009 and, two years ago, Auroras Encore was a
66/1 shot. Indeed, in the last eight renewals of the race, there have
also been two 33/1 winners and a 25/1 winner.
So, when you
have a look at the Grand National betting, don’t just focus on
those at the top of the
market. And, to help you along, here are five
possible National runners this year which are a big price.
BOB FORD
The
eight-year-old is a general 66/1 shot after winning
the West Wales National at Ffos Las when,
controversially, only one other horse finished. That was over
three-and-a-half miles and Bob Ford’s trainer Rebecca Curtis feels
the horse is a National-type. He is a front-runner and can sulk when
he doesn’t lead, which is a concern, along with his preference for
heavy ground. But it has not been unheard of for Aintree to turn into
a quagmire in April and he would be one to have on your side in that
event.
CARLITO
BRIGANTE
The former
Cheltenham Festival winner will be trainer
Karen McLintock’s first runner in the Grand National.
He warmed up for the National with a third at Kelso when he stayed on
over a trip just short of three miles, which suggests he is ready to
step up in distance. Carlito Brigante will head to Aintree a
relatively fresh horse and the expected good ground will also be
right up his street.
DUKE OF LUCCA
Duke Of Lucca
already knows the feeling of winning on Grand National day after
taking the Listed Handicap Chase 12 months ago. An intended runner in
the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham before going on to Aintree, he
will be Philip Hobbs’ second string as the trainer also has last
year’s runner-up Balthazar King. There would be concerns over his
jumping after a fall and unseated rider so far this season, but he
will be staying on when others have had enough.
SUPER DUTY
An
intended runner in the National for Ian Williams,
Super Duty is not considered an outsider for the race by his trainer,
despite his price of 50/1. He has finished second in the Kim Muir at
the Cheltenham Festival and was fourth in a Grade One Novice Chase at
Aintree in 2013. He missed over a year due to a leg injury before
returning over hurdles at Wetherby in January. His first run over
fences since December 2013 came at the end of February when he was
seventh to Wayward Prince in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster.
Williams felt they want too quick on the ground for Super Duty that
day, but the National should suit and he does have a touch of class.
THE RAINBOW
HUNTER
This horse has
yet to get round in the National after unseating Aidan Coleman in the
last two runnings. However, he chased Auroras Encore all the way to
the line in 2013 and he does have some smart form in the book. He
needed the run on tiring ground behind Rocky Creek in the BetBright
Chase at Kempton on his reappearance. Better ground will suit him and
he is on the same mark that he ran off last year. Trainer Kim Bailey
also sent out Mr Frisk to win the National in 1990, although he was a
bit more fancied at 16/1.